Proposed actions on Air Quality by Glasgow City Council



The report which was agreed by the Sustainability and Environment Committee, was welcome. The Council, however, lacks any sense of urgency and some serious decisions have been kicked into the long grass.


Let us examine their plans:


A) Idling Vehicles- There is little evidence of activity here. As the Council admits, any impact is likely to be low.
B) Emission Testing- Again, announced with a flourish but little evidence of a sustained campaign. Impact will be very low.
C) Cleaner Taxis- the Council is mistaken to say the benefits would be low. There are large numbers of taxis every evening belching fumes in Byres Rd. and other streets. Also, the socio-economic impact would not be negative.
D) Council Travel Plan- Few details available and likely to have a low impact.
E) Construction Sites- There is no evidence of any improvements to practice.
F) Boiler Emissions - As the Council says, there is unlikely to be much impact.
G) Planning Guidance- Likely to have a negligible effect.
H) Leading by example- Many councillors still use limousines and the Lord Provost still travels in a Jaguar. Less flying would save the Council money and perhaps earn some respect for politicians.
I) Air Quality Information- It is not easy to find out air quality information. If people were aware of the health dangers they are likely to react. There could be signs in the street, and air quality forecasts in the media.
J) Car Clubs- At present few seem to exist.
K) Low Emissions Zones- the Council is right to say the impact could be high. But wrong to say it would have a negative socio-economic impact. It would certainly improve health. In Sweden, these only included commercial vehicles, and this reduced the positive impact. (Nitrogen Dioxide reduced 1.3%, Particulates reduced by 3%). The majority of vehicles are private cars which must be included. Consider the number of large 4 by 4’s.
L) Promote Green Vehicles- A trial of electric vehicles has been announced, but this is many years away. Also, vast amounts of electricity would need to be generated by non fossil fuels to have an impact.
M) Fire Reduction- unlikely to have much impact.
N) Tree Planting- Here the Council says one thing and does the other. It appears to support building homes on Kelbourne Street Meadow. Many other examples come to mind.

Every time I have anything to do with the pubic sector in Britain I am appalled by the complacency and couldn't care less attitude of the staff. The NHS has to be the worst example. Staff wander about the corridors chatting to each other and there is no sense of urgency. It is no wonder we have to wait so long for an appointment to see a consultant. There is no proper complaints system and people are scared that if they do complain then they will get even worse treatment.

I've been annoyed at all the defence of the NHS from our politicians. It is pretty obvious that most of them have not had to use it recently. Lets face it, if a well known politician checks into a hospital, he's going to get good service.

Anyway I wrote to our Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon SNP about two weeks ago, as usual I have had no acknowledgement. I also sent a letter to my MSP, Sandra White SNP. What do you know, once again Ms White has not replied.